Robert E. Henderson, 79, retired Common Pleas Judge

Robert E. Henderson, 79, of Ashland, died at Samaritan Regional Health System on Wednesday evening, Oct. 18, 2006. He was born in Cleveland, a son of the late Earl R. and Elsie Sydenstricker Henderson.
He was a graduate of Ravenna High School and took his undergraduate work at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, where he received his A.B. Degree. He graduated in 1951 from Western Reserve University Law School with his law degree.
He served two years in the U.S. Air Force as a 1st Lt. and was attached to the Judge Advocate Generals staff.
In 1953, he moved to Ashland and soon after formed a partnership in the Law firm of Gongwer and Henderson in 1955. In 1967, he was appointed by Governor James A. Rhodes to the Common Pleas Bench of Ashland County. He served a full term on the bench and returned to private practice in 1973. Following his return to private practice, he was elected to the Probate-Juvenile Division of the Common Pleas Court and served as Judge from 1979 to 1980. In 1980, he was elected to the 5th District Court of Appeals, which encompasses fifteen counties in Ohio. From 1983 to 1987, he practiced law and served as a referee in the Common Pleas Court and Municipal Court in Ashland County. In 1986 and again in 1992, he was elected Common Pleas Judge of Ashland County.
In his younger years he was very active in the Methodist Church and was a Sunday school teacher for 30 years and a lay minister. For the past 30 years he has been a member of the First Christian Church of Ashland where he served as an Elder. He was an active member of the Ashland Noon Lions Club and a past president. He played the piano for 50 years at the Noon Lions meetings. He was an active member and past chairman of the Ashland County Republican Party. He served on the Board of Elections and the United Appeal of Ashland County board. He had also served on the Choice Place board, a home for wayward boys. He was a 32nd Mason and a member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge No. 151, the Al Koran and a member of the Ashland County Shrine Club. He was a member of the American Legion Harry Higgins Post No. 88, a member of the Young Mens Business Club of Ashland, Investment Club and Numismatic Organization.
On July 26, 1974 he was married to Kay Emminger who survives him. He also is survived by two daughters, Becka (Steve) Harp of Wadsworth and Beth (Robert) Clements of Medina; two sons, Robert J. (Jo) Henderson of Cave Creek, Ariz. and Bill (Kris) Henderson of Campbellsville, Ky.; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Beverly, Anna and Elena Henderson, Matthew Harp, Jessi and Evan Clements; three stepsons, Brad (Kate) Long of Ashland, Dirk (Leann) Anderson of Naples, Fla. and Larry (Nga) Anderson of Chandler, Ariz.; two step grandchildren, Jenni Long and Corey Anderson; one brother, Richard (Dorothy) Henderson of Willowick, and one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tom (Sally) Maras of Ashland.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 2006, at the First Christian Church with the Reverend John OHara officiating. Burial will be in the Ashland Cemetery. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, at Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 401 College Ave., Ashland, Ohio 44805, Ashland County Sheriffs Department Canine Unit, 1205 East Main St., Ashland, Ohio 44805 or First Christian Church, 405 Cottage St., Ashland, Ohio 44805. (T-G 10/21/06)